Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, including TPM 2.0, Secure Boot capability, and a supported processor. If your PC is otherwise capable of running Windows 11 but fails the hardware check because of an unsupported TPM version or CPU, you may be able to continue with an unsupported in-place upgrade.
Microsoft does not recommend installing Windows 11 on hardware that does not meet its minimum requirements. Microsoft also warns that unsupported devices may experience compatibility problems and are not guaranteed to receive updates, including security updates.
The method below uses the MoSetup registry setting that has been documented in Microsoft community guidance for allowing upgrades when the machine has an unsupported TPM or CPU. This is different from completely removing every Windows 11 hardware check.
The commonly documented setting is intended for systems that have at least TPM 1.2 but fail the TPM 2.0 or supported CPU requirement.
Bypass TPM on Windows 11 While Upgrading with Unsupported Hardware
Before changing anything, it helps to understand what this workaround actually does. Windows 11 normally checks several hardware requirements before allowing an upgrade. TPM 2.0 is one of those requirements, while Microsoft also maintains a supported processor list.
The registry modification changes how Windows Setup handles the unsupported TPM or CPU condition. It does not physically add TPM 2.0 to your computer, and it does not turn unsupported hardware into supported hardware.
For that reason, treat this as an unsupported upgrade workaround, not a hardware upgrade. If your computer has an extremely old processor, lacks important firmware capabilities, or has other compatibility problems, bypassing the TPM check may not solve everything.
Step 1: Check Your Current TPM Version
First, find out exactly what TPM your computer has. Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. Type tpm.msc and press Enter.
The TPM Management window should appear. Look for Specification Version. If it shows 2.0, your TPM may not be the reason the upgrade is blocked. If it shows 1.2, the registry workaround may apply to the type of unsupported upgrade discussed here. If Windows reports that a compatible TPM cannot be found, stop and investigate whether TPM is disabled in UEFI firmware before attempting the workaround.
You can also check your overall hardware compatibility through Windows settings and Microsoft’s PC Health Check guidance. This gives you a better idea of whether TPM, CPU, Secure Boot, or another requirement is causing the problem.
Step 2: Back Up Your Important Files
Before modifying the registry or starting an operating system upgrade, make a complete backup of important personal data. Save documents, photos, videos, browser data, project files, and anything else you cannot easily replace to an external drive or another trusted backup location.
An in-place upgrade is designed to preserve your files and applications when the appropriate option is selected, but unsupported hardware introduces additional uncertainty. Microsoft specifically warns that unsupported Windows 11 installations can encounter compatibility problems.
It is also smart to make sure you have your important application installers, passwords, recovery information, and Windows account details available before continuing.
Step 3: Open Registry Editor
Now you can create the registry setting used for the workaround. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
If Windows displays a User Account Control prompt, select Yes if you are comfortable proceeding. Registry Editor gives you access to important Windows configuration settings, so avoid changing unrelated entries.
In Registry Editor, navigate through:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > Setup > MoSetup
You can also paste the following location into the Registry Editor address bar:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup
If the MoSetup key does not exist, right-click the Setup key, choose New > Key, and name the new key MoSetup. Microsoft community guidance describes this same registry location and value for unsupported TPM or CPU upgrades.
Step 4: Create the Unsupported TPM or CPU Value
With MoSetup selected, look at the right side of Registry Editor. Right-click an empty area and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name the new value exactly:
AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU
Pay close attention to the spelling. Registry value names need to match the expected name for Windows Setup to recognize the setting.
After creating it, double-click the new value. Under Value data, enter:
1
Leave the base set to Hexadecimal, then select OK.
The resulting entry should show the value as 0x00000001 (1). This is the registry setting commonly documented in Microsoft Q&A guidance for allowing an upgrade with an unsupported TPM or CPU.
Step 5: Close Registry Editor and Restart Windows
After creating the registry value, close Registry Editor. Restart your computer before beginning the Windows 11 upgrade.
Restarting gives Windows a clean session and ensures the changed configuration is loaded before you launch Windows Setup.
After Windows starts again, you can verify the registry entry if you want. Go back to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > Setup > MoSetup
The AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU value should still be present with its data set to 1.
Do not create random additional registry values just because the Windows 11 installer reports another compatibility problem. Different hardware checks can have different causes, and bypassing one check does not necessarily resolve another.
Step 6: Start the Windows 11 Upgrade
For an in-place upgrade, use Windows 11 installation media and launch Setup from within your existing Windows installation. Microsoft documents installation media as a method that can also be used to upgrade an existing Windows installation.
Once Windows Setup starts, follow the on-screen instructions. Windows may perform another compatibility check before proceeding.
If Setup allows you to select what to keep, pay close attention to the choice. For an in-place upgrade where you want your existing environment preserved, select Keep personal files and apps when that option is available.
Do not accidentally choose an option that removes your applications and files unless you specifically intend to perform a clean installation.
Step 7: Review the Installation Choices Carefully
Windows Setup will eventually show a summary of what it plans to install. This is the point where you should slow down and verify the installation type.
Look for the option indicating that your personal files and apps will be kept. If that option is unavailable, do not assume the installation will preserve everything. A clean installation and an in-place upgrade have very different consequences.
Microsoft explains that booting from installation media for a fresh installation can completely remove the existing Windows installation, files, and applications.
For that reason, if your goal is specifically to upgrade your current Windows installation, start Setup from inside Windows rather than simply booting the PC from the installation USB.
Step 8: Let Windows 11 Complete the Upgrade
Once you are satisfied with the installation choices, allow Windows Setup to continue. Your computer may restart several times during the process.
Avoid powering off the computer while the upgrade is running. If you are using a laptop, connect its AC adapter. For a desktop computer, make sure the power connection is secure.
After the upgrade finishes, sign in normally and give Windows a few minutes to complete its initial configuration.
Because this is an unsupported hardware configuration, check Device Manager and Windows Update afterward. Look for obvious driver problems, missing devices, unusual crashes, or other compatibility issues.
Step 9: Check Windows 11 After the Upgrade
Once you reach the Windows 11 desktop, open Settings > System > About and confirm that Windows 11 is installed.
You can also check Settings > Windows Update to see what updates are offered. Keep in mind that seeing an update today does not create a guarantee that all future updates will be provided to unsupported hardware.
Microsoft explicitly states that unsupported devices are not guaranteed to receive updates and may encounter compatibility issues.
If Windows displays an unsupported hardware warning or watermark, that is consistent with Microsoft’s documentation for Windows 11 installations that do not meet the minimum requirements.
FAQs
Can I bypass TPM 2.0 if my PC has TPM 1.2?
The commonly documented AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU registry workaround is associated with upgrades on systems that have TPM 1.2 but do not meet the TPM 2.0 or supported CPU requirement. It does not upgrade TPM 1.2 into TPM 2.0.
Does this method install TPM 2.0?
No. The registry modification only changes the Windows Setup eligibility check. Your physical TPM remains unchanged. If your computer has TPM 1.2, it will still have TPM 1.2 after Windows 11 is installed.
Will my files be deleted?
An in-place upgrade can preserve personal files and applications when Windows Setup provides the option, and you select Keep personal files and apps. However, you should still create a backup before starting because unsupported upgrades carry additional risks.
Is this officially supported by Microsoft?
No. Microsoft states that Windows 11 should be installed on devices meeting the minimum requirements and warns that unsupported installations may experience compatibility problems and are not guaranteed to receive updates.
What if my PC has no TPM at all?
This particular registry workaround should not be treated as a universal solution for a system with no TPM. First, check whether TPM is simply disabled in your UEFI firmware. If the hardware genuinely lacks a compatible TPM, you may need a different installation approach, and the resulting configuration can be further outside Microsoft’s supported requirements.
Can I undo the registry change?
Yes. Before upgrading, you can return to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > Setup > MoSetup, right-click AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU, and delete it. You can also change its value back to 0. Make registry changes carefully and only to the entry you created.
Final Words
Bypassing the TPM requirement can provide a way to attempt a Windows 11 in-place upgrade on certain unsupported PCs, particularly where the machine has TPM 1.2 but fails the TPM 2.0 or supported CPU requirement. The key registry value is AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU, set to 1 under the MoSetup registry key.
However, the workaround does not make the computer officially compatible with Windows 11. Microsoft continues to state that unsupported installations can have compatibility problems and no guarantee of future updates.
If you decide to proceed, back up your data first, verify your TPM version, make the registry change carefully, use an in-place Setup process, and review every installation option before continuing.